The History of the Beetle as a modelcar

Basing on my collection of VW beetle models which started back in 1984, in 1995 I founded "DAS KAEFERMODELL MUSEUM". In the whole world the is the first and probably also the only private museum for beetle models.

Actually I have around 7.000 different models from all epochs of the beetle history, starting with miniatures of the prototypes and the original KdF-Wagen from 1938 up to the New Beetle. I have stoped with collecting the New Beetle in the middle of the year 2000.

These models are " Made in ..." 42 different countries and are made of 49 various materials. The smallest model  measures only 9 mm in length, the biggest one 1500mm; this is a child´ s car with electric motor.

In the museum you won´t find only scale models for collectors, but also curious items like tooth brushes, ashtrays, letter- openers, butter- dishes, etc. All models have one thing in commom: all are "entire" models (not "half ones" like book supports), they are  3-dimensional or made in a way that children could play with them (if I let them do so!).

In 1997 I was owner of the worldwide biggest collection of VW Beetle models according to the "Guinness Book of Records", at least in a moral sense! In the page 45 of the German issue of this book it was stated that the record was in the possession of a Swiss collector that had 3559 models and I, as his German concurrent, had "only" 3660 models! Due to this problem and some other nonsense in these books I did not request the inscription of any records since 1999, and I won’t do this any more.

In 1997 I moved with my models to a second flat in which I had sensibly more room that I really need. But now it is already to foressee when also this flat will become small, but I still can show all my models without any exception.

In December 2001 the book "VW Beetle Toys", written by Matt Meyer, was releases in USA. This Book shows many models from my collection. Since I am still collecting, I would always be pleased about offers of models missing in my collection. Don’t believe they I already have "all models". So if you want to buy or wish to sell or swap models, please write to me!